Meet Leli Lensamo | Artist and Medical doctor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leli Lensamo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leli, why did you pursue a creative career?
Because I wanted to! I was born and raised in Ethiopia, Africa. Most African parents forbid their children to pursue artistic or creative careers, instead they push them to follow the conventionally acceptable paths such as medical careers, a career in engineering or law. I’m a product of my society so I went ahead and became a medical doctor, until I had to give myself a chance in acknowledging what I wanted to pursue in this life.
I acknowledged the fact that I want to make way to express my thoughts, emotions and ideas through an artistic and creative career, Music. Coming from where I came from this acknowledgment is an act of rebellion and a commencement of freedom at the same time.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

My art is my music. I use my music to express my emotions and thoughts. There are ideas in my mind which can only be communicated through sounds and that’s where my music comes through.
Having to witness people connect with themselves and with other people through my music excites me the most. I started singing professionally when I was a 4th year medical student. One of the biggest challenges I had to overcome back then was keeping my music career a secret from my family and the doctors and professors of my medical school. It was even harder when a performance of mine was aired on a TV show.
The repercussions were tougher from the professors and medical doctors in my university, I had too many interventions following of the public broadcast. The common narrative entailes that doctors should never sing professionally. I even came close to receiving extra 3 months of Internship as a punishment for my deviation.
I learned how to stand up for myself and validate myself through all of this.
I want the world to know that I will always gravitate towards what makes me love life more, which ofcourse requires a constant alignment to the self. My brand and my story celebrate self awareness.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take my best friend to Fendika. Monday nights at Fendika are always spectacular. There is good food, Tej and a live Jazz band, anyone fond of music can participate in jam sessions. It’s a great place to meet lively people too. Zoma museum is also one of my favorite spots in Addis Abeba. It is such a beautiful park one can’t help but feel peaceful there. Great conversations will inevitably take place there.
I’m a sucker for Ethiopian food and the best Ethiopian food in Ethiopia is found in Kategna Restaurants. If we’re going to Kategna for lunch or dinner believe that we’re going to leave with a stomachache

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I want to give a big shoutout to Jaime Hinckson who believed in me so much so that I started to see something greater in myself.
Another big shoutout to Miss Mac Music whose team produced three of my songs.
I would also like to give a shoutout to Eckhart Tolle’s book, “The power of now” for planting a reminder in my mind to keep myself grounded to the present moment.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leli._.lensamo?igsh=YmZ6cG9iMXNvenNs

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063480110061&mibextid=ZbWKwL

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@lelisings3767?si=DMsLiY4LDeTQamSz

Image Credits
– Dereje Tsegaye (Old Town photography) – Mahlet Teshome – Mikias Sete – Mikkassa